Giving a new twist to the debate on mahagattabandan “ a grand alliance of non-secular and non-BJP parties -- Congress Legislative Party (CLP) spokesman Reginaldo Lourenco said the grand alliance of political parties will be inevitable in the event the Congress party has no plan to field new, young and dynamic faces in the 2017 Assembly election.
“I am of the opinion that the Congress party may not require the mahagattabandan to dislodge the BJP from Power. The party on its own can defeat the BJP. But the party should be prepared to field only new and young faces and win confidence of the people of Goa instead of planning to give tickets to the party veterans, many of whom were rejected by the people in the last election,” Reginald told the Goan.
He demanded that the party leadership should discuss the issue of grand alliance threadbare within the four walls given that the Assembly elections are just around seven months away. “We come across statements from Congress leaders on the issue of mahagattabandan. The time has come wherein the issue is discussed in detail within the party fora before taking a firm stand,” he said.
The two-time Curtorim MLA, however, said the party leadership has come under a cloud since it has been silent on many a issue facing the Goans today. “Why is the party leadership not going all out against the Chief Minster and the Defence Minister. This silence is now being construed as connivance with the ruling dispensation by the people of Goa. It was reported some time back the Defence Minister saying he can manage as many as four parties in the state. The question now arises is whether the Congress is also on Parrikar’s list given the way things are going on in the party,” he said, while demanding to know whether Congressmen can expect anything better from the party leadership.
Replying to a question, Reginald said that even he is ready to take a back seat in his Curtorim constituency if the Congress leadership dares to keep all the veterans out in the coming election. ‘The party has to make a beginning somewhere. You cannot go against the wishes and sentiments of the people. Otherwise, the party will meet the same fate like in 2012,” he said.
To another question, he said he has already conveyed his views to the party leadership on the question of Mahagattabandan and fielding new faces to the party.
On his plans to take over the leadership of the Goa Pradesh Congress party, Reginaldo said “at one time, I was ready to lead the party if given the responsibility by the party high command. But, now the time is too short to take any such responsibility with the Assembly election just seven months away”.
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Alliance with or
without Congress,
say independents
Observing that the Congress is still in the process of defining the term ‘alliance’, independent MLAs Rohan Khaunte, Vijai Sardesai and Naresh Sawal revealed their intention to forge a grand alliance with or without Congress for the upcoming polls.
Fatorda MLA Sardesai stated, “Congress is still in the process of defining the term ‘alliance’ and has been redefining alliance as ‘merger’. As we recognise the public sentiment, we will come together, with or without Congress.”
He further stated that the three MLAs, including himself, who are mentos of the nascent political party Goa Forward will negotiate under the banner of Goa Forward, if an alliance can be forged with any political entity.
Referring to the ongoing debate of ‘mahagathbandhan’, Sardesai said, “Six to seven months ago, we had suggested an alliance of this nature after the experiment had succeeded in Bihar. It can be recreated in Goa. In the absence of a grand alliance, Goa will suffer the same fate as in Assam.”
“Vishawajit (Rane) is right in suggesting that we emulate a successful model of alliance,” he added.
Countering the question of whether the ‘anti-BJP political forces’ would include AAP, Sardesai stated, “I challenge AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to name 25 constituencies of Goa, let alone field candidates and win in 35 constituencies as he has declared. If he can do this, I will resign as an MLA.”
Meanwhile, complainant in the case of alleged beach cleaning scam which is presently being heard by the Lokayukta, Porvorim MLA Khaunte expressed disapproval of the state-level monitoring committee meetng scheduled on Thursday.
“Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, the main accused in the beach cleaning scam, will himself chair the state-level monitoring committee meeting to be held on Thursday to discuss the matter with department officials and take the necessary decision,” he sought to point out.
Khaunte demanded that the government should strip Parulekar of his portfolio and then initiate action against him and the department in the alleged scam.
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Vijai slams MoI
panel formation
Fatorda MLA Sardesai flayed the govermment’s move to appoint a committee to deliberate over the issue of Medium of Instruction. “The new committee at best can reverse the policy and cancel the grants given to the English-medium schools. With the session around the corner, the government could have waited and then appointed a select committee of the House to deliberate over the issue,’ he stated.
